Traditional, arranged by Markus Schwartz & Monvelyno Alexis
The introduction is played on three "lanbi" (conch shells), along with "tcha-tcha" (gourd shaker similar to a maraca) and "fe" (iron striker fashioned from a recycled automobile leaf spring).
The melody, lyrics and rhythm come from traditional Haitian "Rara"
(street processional music - for more see http://rara.wesleyan.edu).
Kote moun yo? | Where are the people? | ||
M'pa we moun yo | I don't see the people | ||
Kote moun kap pale mal? | Where are the people speaking badly (about me)? | ||
Mwen pa we moun kap pale mal | I don't see the people speaking badly | ||
Woy woy woy, woy woy woy | In front of me (the talk) is good | ||
Devan byen, deye mal o | Behind me (the talk) is bad |